Iron Crown of Lombardy

is so called from a narrow band of iron within it, said to be
beaten out of one of the nails used at the Crucifixion. This band is
about three-eighths of an inch broad, and one-tenth of an inch in
thickness. According to tradition, the nail was first given to
Constantine by his mother, who discovered the
cross. The outer circlet of the crown is of beaten gold, and set with
precious stones. The crown is preserved with great care at Monza, near
Milan; and Napoleon, like his predecessor Charlemagne, was crowned with
it. After the war between Austria and Italy, the Iron Crown was
delivered by the former power to Victor Immanuel.